The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
February 8, 2009
In
This Issue:
Are
You Washed in the Blood or Just in the Water?
by
Steve Klein
Suggestions
for Improving Public Prayer
by
Steve Klein
Are You Washed in the Blood or Just in the Water?
A popular country song by Kenny Chesney describes a mother who wants to know if the boy that her daughter is going to marry is "washed in the blood or just in the water." When young Christians are contemplating marriage, that is an important thing to consider. But more than that, it is an important consideration for every baptized believer.
It is the blood of Jesus that washes away sin. If we are truly saved, it is because Jesus "loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5).
We are washed by the saving blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism. That is why Saul of Tarsus was told to "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Those who believe that their sins have been washed away in the blood, but who have not submitted themselves to be baptized for the remission of sins, do not understand the function of baptism. They need to carefully consider Romans 6:3-4 where the apostle Paul asks, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Baptism is the very thing that puts us in contact with the blood of Jesus. We are "baptized into His death." It ends our old life of sin and begins a new life of purity, holiness and devotion to our Savior.
So, we must be washed in the water in order to be washed in the blood. But it is possible to be baptized without contacting the blood of Jesus. For example, a person could be baptized for the wrong reason. In Acts 19 we have a record of six men who had been baptized into John's baptism, but not into Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. They needed to be "baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5). When they were, no doubt they contacted the blood of Jesus and had their sins washed away.
Another way that a person might be washed in the water but not in the blood is if he is not sincere about living a new life, freed from sin. If a person is baptized but just goes back into his old life of sin, the death and resurrection of Jesus has not taken hold within him. This is the precise issue that Paul is dealing with in Romans 6. After explaining in verses three and four that we are "baptized" into the death of Christ, in verses 5-7 and 11-12 he says the following:
"For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin."
"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts."
Has the blood of Jesus really made a difference in the way you live your life? Are you still following the same old patterns of sin that controlled you before baptism, or has that old man of sin been put to death? Are you washed in the blood, or just in the water?
-- Steve Klein
The past two Sunday evenings we've conducted a study and discussion for men interested in improving their ability to lead prayer in our assemblies. We thought it might be helpful to share some of the fruits of our efforts. Our study resulted in the following observations and suggestions:
REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PRAYER:
Prayer is communication to God (Matthew 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Colossians 4:2). In it we express to God praise, honor, thanksgiving, requests and intercessions for others. When leading a public prayer, we need to remember that we are helping fellow worshipers communicate to God. We are praying on behalf of the group - all should be able to say amen (1 Corinthians 14:14-17, 26b). In order to accomplish this, a prayer must be understood.
· Use words that all can understand.
· Use the microphone or speak loud enough for everyone to hear.
· Don't be repetitive or longwinded. Be concise.
PRAYERS SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS OF WORSHIP:
The opening prayer of a worship assembly could include . . .
o Praise, honor and thanks to God.
o Asking God's blessings on the worship and the worshipers.
o Praying for the sick. Use individual names when appropriate.
o Praying for the work of the church (gospel meetings, teachers of classes, etc.)
o Praying for the leadership of the church
o Praying for evangelists whose work is known by or supported by the church and for their specific requests (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; Colossians 4:3; Romans 15:3)
Prayers before the Lord's Supper (Mark 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24)
o Express thanks for the bread and cup.
o Ask help in remembering Christ and His sacrifice with a proper mind.
o Let each man examine himself.
Prayer before the contribution (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 10-15)
o Thanks for God's provisions that enable us to give.
o Pray for the continued ability to work and make a living so that we might have something to give.
o Pray for proper attitudes in giving (liberality, cheerfulness, etc.)
o Ask God's blessings on the use of the funds given.
Closing Prayer
o Pray for application of lessons.
o Pray for the rulers of our nation.
o Pray for strength to overcome temptation in our daily lives.
o Pray for guidance and strength in our daily lives.
o Pray that God might accept the worship we have just offered
o Ask God's providential care as we depart and until we meet again.
In 1 Timothy 2:8, the apostle Paul wrote, "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting". Godly men will want to do their best at serving the Lord in this way.
-- Steve Klein